Belarus releases 123 prisoners as US lifts sanctions

Belarusian human rights activist Ales Bialiatski, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has been freed after four years in prison. He arrived in Vilnius, welcomed by opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and thanked U.S. diplomats for their efforts. His release is part of a major prisoner swap—over 120 detainees freed—in exchange for easing U.S. sanctions on Belarusian potash. The deal signals a rare thaw between Washington and President Alexander Lukashenko, though critics urge continued pressure on Minsk.